Monday, April 26, 2010

Memories and Deja-Vu Moments....

Blessings To All,

To Order Jessica's Journey Necklace, Click On Link :
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41687962

To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8

To view New Vemma Product Video, Click on Link Below:
http://bonusbiz.vemma.com/v.asp?IDNum=A4FAA92D%2D2723%2D425D%2DB822%2DF6E131A6817A&CO_LA=US_EN
(Sales of Vemma Products also help Jessica's Journey-for more info contact Nancy @ (419)350-9058)


Update on Jessica:
Jessica received a booster today. This past weekend she had to have her central catheter replaced due to problems with the line and also Dr. Cantu performed a lumbar sympathetic block on her right leg with the hope that he could isolate the nerves that are causing her pain. It was not successful, unfortunately, so we will have to try an alternate plan. Please continue to pray for Jessica and Dr. Cantu and also please pray for Devon, who had mouth surgery this past week as well and is receiving her boosters while here in Monterrey.


As I write this blog it is 5:30 PM - Mexican time and Jessica is resting after her booster. As I watch her asleep, I have to say that I am caught in a memory of times past - a "deja-vu" moment. You know the moments I speak of. They happen when you look at someone and a memory of another time or event is sparked. They happen when you hear a song on the radio, and you remember a time way back when. Sometimes those memories are full of only good things and even sometimes you long for those days gone by. Watching her sleep, she seems so peaceful, as if nothing can harm her, as if all I have to do is close my eyes and all will be OK again........


As a parent, we can all remember those times when we would watch our children asleep. As infants, we would make sure that all was well - even to the point of putting your hand to their chest to make sure all was OK and that they were breathing! As toddlers, we couldn't wait for them to fall asleep, so, as parents, we could finally get some rest! And as they grew, and became teenagers, we realized that we were just happy to see them asleep in their beds at 11:00 PM. Especially once they started to drive!


I mention this today because I realize how important it is in life to step back in time to those happy moments, to think upon them and remember them; to even sometimes long for them once again. For it is in those memories that we realize that God is such a wonderful God. That he is in control of all. That just as those memories were happy ones, that we can hope and have faith that the memories we make today and the days ahead of us will be filled with more happier than sad ones.


So, tonight, when you look upon your children as they sleep, whatever age they may be, think back and remember those days gone by, listen to those "deja-vu" moments, and hold them dear and close to your heart. And remember, when you wake tomorrow morning, to thank God for the precious gift of another day and then go out and make those memories.......


In God we Trust,
Sarah Gina (Mom to 3)*


***To Post A Comment, CLICK on Comments Below***

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Watching children sleep is a wonderful thing!. The beauty and peacefullness that shines from the sleeping face is so soothing to all.
As a mother, one never forgets those peaceful, angelic moments and as a grandmother(MIMI) it is just as beautiful.
But then, in their waking times, having them (both children and grandchildren) smile and say how much they love you. What a gift! God is wonderful.

May Jessica's peaceful sleep restore her health and give her energy.
Prayers
Linda in Saratoga

Nancy said...

Hi Sarah Gina, praying for relief for Jessica of the pain she's endured. God has his fingerprints all over Jessica as we watch his healing of her beautiful body!

Speaking of fingerprints...Two of the members of our church have written a book about just that. We are working on a link to make a fundraiser off the proceeds of their book. They are such wonderful people so watch for news of that coming soon.

We also are tracking proceeds of the Vemma website you posted to raise funds for Jessica's Journey. When a person watches the video and if they want to purchase product we will be tracking that sale too. We know what a financial issue this Journey has been so far and all want to ease that burden.

With love and thanks,
Team Jessica!
Call Nancy for info on how to help.
cell 419-350-9058 XOXO

Fern said...

You nailed this one! God gives us snapshots of great moments (big or small) to treasure in our hearts always. Do you remember in the New Testament when Mary began to treasure up those moments? Right at Jesus conception! Although my children are so much older now, I can still see them as young when I close my eyes and remember. There are always good times and bad. Let's spend way more time reflecting on the blessings that have been bestowed! I am so grateful to God that he gave you that peaceful and secure moment while you wrote. It is His way of reminding you that He has this one and you need not worry. Perhaps?
Talk to you soon!

Anonymous said...

Maybe these are glimpses of what is to be.

Trusting in Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine ...

Anonymous said...

Another distraction:

http://classical895.wordpress.com/2010/01/13/music-as-medicine-part-2/

Researchers explore how melodies can help regulate heart, boost hormones and may help brain injuries

Anonymous said...

Music

Better than life

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KRIPW2Ucdg

Jesus your loving kindness is better than life!

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you and Jessica everyday and sending my love and prayers

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you and jessica everyday and sending my love and prayers.

Cousin Adrienne

adrienne said...

Thinking of you and jessica everyday and sending my love and prayers.

Cousin Adrienne

Anonymous said...

I will add you to my prayers.

And I hope you're being saturated with antibiotics for the lyme. As long as the borrelia infection is still present, the nervous system will continue to be severely afflicted.

Many blessings as you heal~*

Joanne Hartman said...

Sarah Gina - Just wanted to let you know that there are many people here in Naples still praying for Jessica and your family. God's mercy, peace, healing and love surround you. God bless you!

Anonymous said...

What a long, difficult and interesting journey this has been. You have met so many new friends from all over (Canada, US and Mexico - like Dr. Cantu, Devon, Fern, Justin, John, Elena, Elana, Keri, Blair, Dr. Adams, and so many others). People you probably would not have met otherwise. Isn't it interesting how God weaves that tapestry. Paths that are crossed, lives that are intertwined. All for a greater purpose that we cannot see nor can we understand.

How He will use this time of trial we will never fully understand but we have seen some wonderful things!

Sometimes the road is very difficult and longer than we expected but filled with many more blessing than we can ever imagined! Even during the difficult times, He still blesses us, encourages us, and gives us hope.

We hope and pray that God will continue to richly bless you with many great blessings, and better days filled with great memories (and less pain). May you be able to look back at this time of your life and only remember the good memories and the many blessings.

With love & prayers,
The Turners

Anonymous said...

Hi Jessica and Sara Gina,

You bless me every time I read the latest news from you.

Your faith is what God is using the blog for.

We are blessed from the hope, love and courage you show.

Anonymous said...

скачать фильм остров the island на dvd
http://downbiaskyl.prv.pl/iaoz.html

Anonymous said...

My associate and I really enjoyed studying this blog put up, I was just itching to know do you commerce featured posts? I am at all times looking for somebody to make trades with and merely thought I would ask. emilie m handbag| возникновение фамилии абдильдинова| buy cod replica bags| this small and lonely object that lay so exactly in the middle of
http://s1.shard.jp/camplan/bhamas-overnight-summer-camps.html Click Here

Anonymous said...

Now you've gotten your new site and you’re keen to begin making some gross sales! But, how can you make gross sales when you should not have excessive volumes of tourists to your web site? что означает фамилия яхтина| jacques cartier candian exploer shopping buying| wearing hermes kelly bag open| grocer, some man who had a saloon and bowling alley in the neighborhood
http://s1.shard.jp/campat/long-beach-state-volleyball-camp.html Click Here


Jessica's Journey to Getting Her Life Back

By Sarah Gina (Jessica's Mom)


As we begin this journey toward renewed health we would like to express our sincere heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Dr. Anthony Kirkpatrick and all the work he has done and continues to do in order to bring patients like my daughter Jessica back to a more meaningful life and restored from this devastating illness. Also, special thanks to Dr. Fernando Cantu and his team of doctors in Mexico for taking on a difficult case like my daughters, Words cannot express the renewed sense of hope that we have that one day, our Jessica, can regain her life that has been taken away from her – God Bless you all!

Jessica’s Story

Once an A+ student who loved school, was involved in many extracurricular activities, played varsity tennis, lacrosse and gymnastics and enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, our daughter Jessica has spent the last 3 years incapacitated, paralyzed, unable to sit or walk and eat. She spends her days confined to a hospital bed, wearing sunglasses and noise-canceling headphones, due to severe light and sound sensitivity.

Jessica and her sisters, 2 mos. before becoming ill

The pain she feels is indescribable and all attempted treatments have not even come close to relieving her suffering.

She has seen many doctors, undergone numerous painful tests and procedures, has been prescribed various medications, and has been hospitalized frequently including being intubated and on a ventilator. She is severely debilitated and currently is only 92 pounds. This is certainly no life for a 21 year old young woman!


Jessica is suffering from neurologic Lyme disease and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), a severely debilitating and painful neuromuscular disorder. She suffers daily with constant sharp, stabbing, tingling and burning pain; throughout her body; severe headaches; paralysis; intense muscle spasms; gastroparesis; seizures; twisting of her limbs (dystonia); sensitivity to any touch (allodynia); extreme sensitivity to lights and sounds; excessive sweating; swelling; fevers; softening of bones; decreased hair growth; redness and discoloration of the limbs; and painful skin ulcers. The pain is constant and unrelenting, but despite her suffering, her faith in God remains and she still has hope for her future.

Jessica's painful skin lesions

Jessica's journey began in 1999, when she was only 11 years old. She became very ill with Mono and was bed bound for 3 months. She subsequently developed RSD (stage 1) of the lower right leg. She received early intervention and returned to playing sports and enjoying her life.

Jessica, age 15, at summer camp

Four years later, in 2003, while away at a sleep-away camp, she developed a rash behind her right knee, coincidentally in the same leg that previously had RSD!

At the time, the camps nurse & doctor told her that it was “duck rash” – a rash from swimming in the lake with duck feces. However, Jessica was able to obtain photos from camp from another camper which shows the classic “bulls-eye” rash from Lyme disease! It wasn’t until much later and only after developing symptoms and becoming very ill, was the diagnosis of Lyme disease and Babesiosis (another tick-borne infection) made.


Most people (and doctors!) have no idea how serious Lyme disease can become and no clue how to properly diagnose it. Unfortunately, if she would have been promptly diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease, the RSD would not have been triggered and she would not be suffering.

July 2003, Jessica's Lyme disease rash

If it wasn’t for her doctor, Dr. Liegner, and his expertise with complex cases of Lyme, and his determination to try any means in getting her well, by getting a “team” of doctors on her case, we wouldn’t be here today, still fighting. We owe him a deep sense of gratitude for all he does for Jessica!

During these past three years and with the pain becoming more intense and unbearable she has been seeing Dr. Finkelstein for pain management. He has even made house calls to spare her the pain of coming by ambulance to his office. Jessica has been treated with multiple pain medications, at the highest possible doses, as well as an implanted dilaudid pain pump, which delivers potent medication straight into her spine. Many doctors have told us that with the amount of medications Jessica was taking would be enough to “kill a horse”—yet they had little to no effect on her. If it wasn’t for Dr. Finkelstein trying to alleviate her constant, severe, unrelenting pain, I don’t know how she would have managed. He is very special to us as well.

Recently Jessica was transported by air ambulance to Tampa, Florida to see Dr. Anthony Kirkpatrick, a world renowned RSD expert. Dr. Kirkpatrick told us that Jessica is one of the most debilitated patients he has ever seen.

Jessica getting into the air-ambulance to go see Dr. Kirkpatrick

Upon his testing and because Jessica's condition is so severe, Dr. Kirkpatrick is recommending the only treatment available that can possibly help relieve her suffering, and afford her some semblance of a “normal” life - the Ketamine Coma Procedure - a clinical trial that is being conducted in Monterrey, Mexico.

During this procedure Jessica will be put into a coma , with the hope that her nerves, brain and spinal cord will “reset” -so that her nervous system sends the correct signals to her brain.


Yes, this is a radical, scary treatment, however, for Jessica, "scary" is thinking that she could spend the rest of her life in this condition, unable to walk, eat, or take care of herself. Since all reasonable treatments have failed to help her, we feel we must try everything possible to help Jessica regain her life.

We understand that due to Jessica’s fragile condition, there is a high risk associated with this procedure. We are also aware that other patients with severe RSD like Jessica's have had success.

Jessica’s goal is to one day become a doctor. Our hope is that with this study she can have that chance. As her Mom, I know that she will be a great doctor because when a patient presents in her office and says “Doctor, I am in pain and words cannot express how bad it is” – my daughter –Dr. Jessica– will be able to say - :I know how you feel, I’ve been there too. So, take a seat and let me tell you a story”….

We are so thankful and feel so blessed to have been led to Dr. Kirkpatrick.

God is good and with his help guiding Dr. Cantu and Dr. Kirkpatrick, our hope is for Jessica to be able to return to us whole again and pain-free!